Farm animals attacked at Frying Pan Farm Park in Virginia

Herndon
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Police are investigating an incident where several barnyard animals at a county-run park in Virginia have been intentionally slashed. This is the second time in a month that animals at the farm have been attacked.

According to a Fairfax County Police news release, two goats, a calf and a chicken were cut with an unknown object during the hours of 5 p.m. Sat. and 7 a.m. Sun. this past weekend at Kidwell Farm.

Kidwell Farm is part of a county-run park called Frying Pan Farm Park, located in Herndon, Va..

"Farm staff discovered the injuries around 8 a.m. when they went to feed the animals. The calf and one of the goats are both under a year old and bottle-fed. They have no fear of humans and would approach anyone who came near thinking they might be fed," police said.

A calf was injured at Kidwell Farm in May 2012 Fairfax County authorities were investigating two separate animal attacks that occurred in Apr. and May.

Fairfax County Police

The animals had been in the barn when their injuries were discovered by staff.

This is the second time animals have been attacked in the vicinity. On Apr. 26 three horses being housed in an adjacent park had been injured in a similar fashion; police are unsure at this time if the crimes are related. The April slashing remains unsolved at this time.

Fortunately, the animals' injuries do not appear to be life threatening, police noted. The investigation is ongoing and detectives, officers and private veterinarians have been on the scene. All but one of the animals are recuperating on the farm, the chicken is said to be recovering off the premises.

"I think they need some, first of all, medical treatment because I don't think it's normal behavior," visitor Larry Nesbitt added. "It's not something ordinary people do, so there is something deeply disturbed about the person."

Kidwell Farm is open to the public and children are allowed to pet many of the animals. This time of year is a popular time to visit the park because many babies are born. According to Fox News, a spokesperson for the park indicated it was not clear how the attacker got inside the barn, but also noted it would not have been difficult.

Police are asking anyone with information on these animal attacks to call Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, email at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637, or to call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

Earlier today Digital Journalreported on another incident in Vancouver where someone has been mutilating cats.